Thursday, February 18, 2016

EARTH-Keeper: Jiyoung Kim

An Artist for Christian Education

by Abby Mohuapt

I first met Jiyoung Kim when we were students together at
McCormick Theological Seminary from 2008-2012. She came from South Korea with
her husband when he started his masters program; he was going to school while
she took care of their three children.

When she was in South Korea, Jiyoung had been an artist for
Christian Education curriculum for the Presbyterian Church in Korean (PROK).
Her beautiful images made from clay are perfect illustrations for how God
speaks to us as we learn and grow as people of faith.

Clay image by Jiyoung Kim

In 2012, Jiyoung started her Doctorate in Educational Ministry
at Columbia Theological Seminary, and her focus is how we use the church to
care for creation. She has focused on how small churches can work together to
love the earth and all that God has made. In a recent piece she wrote that
"Christian education should be a place in which to thoughtfully engage
in understanding our practices and performances. Furthermore, it
should help them to live their lives the way God wants them to live. For this reason,
ecology is one of the subjects which Christianity can put it into action
as a specific, important and meaningful idea. We are empowered to do
stewardship that should reimagine what it means to have dominion over the
Earth, doing well by God, our Creator."

Her work relies on all senses so that the children, youth, and
congregations she engages feel connected in every way to the earth and to each
other. You can see some of her work and read her writing here.